Two prominent businessmen in Bacolod City insinuated to have links to the illegal drug trade, yesterday vehemently denied the allegations against them.

But they assured the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency of their all-out support in the war against drugs of President Rodrigo Duterte in Negros Occidental, especially in Bacolod City.

Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña, a PDEA consultant, met yesterday with the two businessmen, who requested not to be identified, to hear their explanations, and determine the basis of the allegations against them.

“We are not accusing them, we are asking them to help us stop the proliferation of prohibited drugs in Bacolod City”, Peña said.

The PNP assessment shows that all 61 barangays of Bacolod City have been affected by the drugs.

The assessment of Peña was that 60 percent of the drug supply in Negros Occidental came from Bacolod City, and a portion originated from the cities of Silay and Victorias.

But Peña said Mayor Mark Golez managed to reduce the supply of illegal drugs in Silay City by about 70 percent, with the surrender of two shabu suppliers, who pledged to cooperate in the anti-drug campaign of the government.

We need the help of everyone to fix the drug problem in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, he added.

Peña plans to meet with other individuals in Bacolod City alleged to have links to the illegal drug trade, and said every Negrense has to help in eliminating the drug problem.

Drugs will not proliferate unless allowed by the PNP, he said, noting that many policemen are alleged to also be involved in the drug trade.

PNP chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa disclosed on Thursday that another set of local government officials with alleged links to the illegal drug trade may soon be revealed by President Duterte, hinting that those in the list may be from Negros Occidental.

Governor Roel Degamo had earlier revealed that a government official in Negros Occidental occupying a position as high as mayor, is alleged to have links with the illegal drug trade, based on police information.*GPB